Morning Drips and Drops

Vera Biaglow

Sunday, August 23, 2009

64 degrees here on the mountain this morning. It rained again last night but not enough to amount to much. Some places in Vermont are still cleaning up from Friday's downpours but here the rain was limited and the gardens are dry enough that even the zinnias are almost falling over.

Karl the Wonder Dog was up again at 4:30 begging to go out. Morning walks are common in our house as it's a nice way to start the day. It's trickier now because the sun is still sleeping until almost 6 and the local bear population is staying close to the house eating choke cherries and creating scents that Karl cannot avoid. This morning the walk was going fine until Karl jumped off the roadbed and growled and barked as something heavy crashed through the brush. My aging eyes couldn't even pick up a form but there was an odor in the air suggesting to me that it was probably a bear. They don't practice great hygiene!

Rococo

I like this spider. It's an older one, a vigorous grower and the right height to show off it's special curl.

Yesterday at the nursery was a good day for us. In Vermont, the governor came up with this "no tax day" which makes no sense at all but some people love it so they can save a couple bucks on big ticket items like washers and dryers, stoves or furnaces. People will drive a hundred miles to save $60 on something they should have bought anyway but they think they are getting a good deal. All the financial pundits say this makes no sense but the Governor is the top dog and just like Karl he can jump off the road if he wants to. For us it means that no one shows up at the nursery until after they have done the "important" shopping.

About 2PM yesterday I told Gail to go home and I'd call her if I needed help with customers. She had been gone a little over an hour when I looked up from pulling weeds and six cars had rolled in to look at daylilies. I called for help and got digging. The balance of the day until 5:30 was busy and that was good. Gardeners like sales and bought several anenomes, a few astilbes and lots of bare roots. I dug 15 daylilies and Gail probably dug another six. It was sticky hot but at closing time we celebrated the good day and began to dig bare roots for today's sales.

Although the field is not as colorful as it was three weeks earlier, many of the later daylilies are worthy of note. Remember that we go for the older daylilies, not the newer, more expensive ones but we can offer real good clumps at "not bad" prices. You kind of have to see the place to understand what we sell.

Here are a few more pictures of what is blooming or just finishing up. Stop by for a visit if you can!

Omomuki

Dragon's Eye
Smaller bloom, good bud count.

Catherine Woodbery

Sometimes people miss on the spelling but this old flower, now on 4 foot tall scapes in the garden, waves like colorful flags, drawing in honey and flower bees from afar.

Beauty To Behold

I really like this plant but it doesn't sell that well. Lots of bloom substance and a great bud count that goes on and on but I guess the shorter statute and the way the bloom is held to the plant body detracts from what folks want.

Bama Music

We are selling these as bare roots today. Can't miss that bargin!

Amazon Parrot

This is one of Alex's choices from some time back. It finished blooming Friday but has been very popular this year even though it's been around a few years.



Have to go!

Good gardening wishes from the mountain and the nursery!. Stop by and visit if you can. We are open every day until Labor Day, then by chance or appointment.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener

Web sales continue year 'round at http://vermontflowerfarm.com

A Presentation Of Lilies

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Not too quiet at 4:30 this morning here on the mountain. For some reason there is heavy snoring competition going on in our house and Karl the Wonder Dog is one of the three competitors. It's probably well that I woke up during the competition as I have to move the tractor back to the nursery this morning and it's best to get going before the traffic begins to get busy.

This is lily time in Vermont and surprisingly, the presentation is gorgeous despite the cool weather and heavy rains which often complicate good flowering with botrytis and other fungus type problems. The bloom started around Fourth of July with the native Lilium canadense (directly above and just below inc. red variety) and the beautiful martagons. It continues now with the various Asiatics, the longiflorum hybrids, and early Orientals. The few trumpets we have left are mixed in someplace here and the Oriental-trumpet crosses, the orienpets, are not too far behind.

If you have followed our flower journey over the years, you recall that up until last year, we always presented gardeners with a super selection of potted lilies. Perhaps eight years ago now, maybe a little longer, we were one of the top lily retailers in New England. I came across a photo a few weeks back that I'll have to find again to post as it shows our old nursery with our house completely surrounded by thousands of potted lilies. That's the way it was when lilies were king here.

With the planned move to a new nursery last year, Gail and I decided we just could not deal adequately with the lily leaf beetle. If you search this blog and our former Vermont Gardens blog (use search option in upper left corner) you will find information about this insidious insect. Try http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com/2009/05/beat-rain-beat-beetles.html for some info and pictures. For gardeners with a few lilies, perhaps hand picking is a good option but when you're growing in the thousands you want plants to be insect free and for that to happen, the challenge was near impossible and we disbanded a beautiful plant from sales.

For many gardeners, growing lilium is a "must do" and they are willing to exchange the use of strong chemicals with the luxury of nice blooms. We are not. We enjoy birds and bees and butterflies too much to spread chemicals at the level that would have been needed to control three annual generations of lily beetle. So for us, it means enjoying our lilies as they continue in our gardens, for as long as they live on their own. The beetles defoliate the stems and over time this weakens the plants, the bulbs shrink in size and finally they succumb to an inability to replace food matter with bulb size to live in Vermont's climate. That's just a reality. So for now, here are pictures of a few still showing in the gardens. Our good friend Winnie, our Chief of Hydrological Services, lives down the road four miles. She maintains a very nice representation of our lilies and does so through rigorous hand picking and use of dormant oil spray. For Gail and me, a visit during our busy schedule is a reminder to where we were a few years back. It's certainly not the same as looking out your window to your own gardens but that's just how it is.
Here are some pictures.

Asiatic named Update

Tiger Babies, a strong grower

Shiraz, an Asiatic

Mona Lisa, 18"-24" tall Oriental. One of the first Orientals to bloom here.

Asiatic Lollypop, well known, well distributed, quick to reproduce in large clumps

Golden Torch, a Longiflorum-Asiatic cross. Large flowers.

Arena, a strong Oriental that has been with us for over ten years. Someone should study the genetics of this one.

For this morning, these thoughts of lilies will have to suffice to jump start your day. I hope your gardens are doing well and you are enjoying this gardening season.


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the snoring festival has subsided and I have to get moving. Stop and see us if you have some time. 2263 US Route 2 Marshfield, VT. The daylily field is intense and there's no way you can miss the color as you travel Route 2.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm Our easy to use web site for ordering plants when you aren't close enough to visit. A daylily order will not disappoint you!

Valued Colors Continue

Catherine Neal discussed below

Sunday, July 18, 2009

Already almost 5 AM here. I have been reading mail and looking out the windows since 4:30 when light started poking through the balsams. Karl the Wonder Dog has been sitting beside me at attention all the time and he senses something moving outside but neither of us can locate any real movement. I think the bears are passing through, looking for breakfast.

Just a quick continuation of yesterday's daylily pictures before I head for the nursery. Lynn from Lynn's Garden: Best In Bloom Today wrote yesterday after seeing my picture of Catherine Neal shown again just above. Lynn was questioning the lack of roundness to my example which admittedly isn't the greatest but it was one of the first on that plant to come out. Lynn included a picture of her Catherine Neal last Friday when she wrote Fertilizer Friday! Take a look for comparison. Lynn is a very good gardener and spends lots of time observing change so I value her question and pass it on.

Vermont is a long haul from New Jersey and this morning's 47 degrees is already down to 45 degrees as the sun comes up, dragging a very noticeable breeze with it. This has been the summer of no summer in Vermont and cool temperatures slow the bud size considerably. The coolness also prevents the flower from opening all the way and you find yourself questioning if the plant that's opening for the first time is really the one you bought last summer. Bela Lugosi is one we like a lot and pictures I took a week ago when it first started to open and those from two days ago are much different as the plant has slowly matured a little more and had the luxury of one day in the seventies. From what I have heard from other gardeners, parts of Maine, even on the coast where you'd think it might be a little warmer, are even worse off with bloom time than here.

There's nothing we can do about the weather but times like this prove the importance of getting daylilies planted right to begin with and sited where sun, however limited, is maximized for use when it does shine.

I've got to get going here as Karl needs a walk and I have to get to the nursery pronto. Breakfast will be lunch before I know it.

Try these on for size!

Tuscawilla Tigress. Our plants were split up three weeks ago so they are smaller than most we sell but we like this one nonetheless. Many folks in New England say they are tired with the oranges because the so called ditch lilies are everywhere. In contrast, I have been selling those oldies every day and have 20 Kwanso that have to get dug and potted today as people keep asking. Consider a garden of just oranges. You'll be surprised how many great ones there are. I place Leebea Orange Crush in that category and it is almost at peak bloom today. I hate to see it go as it has a special quality for bringing out adjacent colors.

Had to take this one, Silver Sprite, out of our offering as we sold more than we should have. The picture isn't that great but the color really is neat! More available next year or maybe this year if I keep forgetting to tell Austin to stop digging it.


Salieri has been with us a few years and this year the plants are monstrous and for some reason, people don't want them. Twice I have received repeat history lessons about the name "Salieri" and although I am aware of the background, I like to hear people tell their versions with authority. Salieri was a friend of Mozart and admired him greatly. Mozart's untimely death raised forensic questions of poisoning and there's a chance that the friend became a murderer. Records from the early 1800s are like records on early daylilies--some having missing pieces.

Ruffled Apricot is one I have grown to like. It's large, a real strong grower and it challenges you to combine it with other colors, other flowers for a stunning display. Sometimes the common plants deserve more commentary, more credit, than they traditionally receive. This is one of those.

Rudy Spider is no longer for sale this year. It's readily available at other places but we had to put the binders on our sales as we have to get our production up on this very popular daylily from Stamile. I noticed some rose chafers eating the flowers yesterday and that's the first time I have seen them here. This is the year of heavy rains and new bugs so nothing surprises me.


Gardeners always want reds and Rooten Tooten Red is not the dark red many are looking for but the center and the edge are admirable and it works well with some of the blue campanulas and delphiniums that are in bloom right now.

I have always liked Real Wind and these flowers are almost 8 inches across this year. The plants are robust and the flower works well with other pastels and accepts the accent from darker colors too.

Missouri Beauty blooms and blooms and that's what we like. It's clearly visible from the roadway here as the rows will be in peak bloom in about a week. The dark stamens are a nice contrast.


Our lemon lilies are about done--maybe one or two left blooming in the garden. This one was in a pot by the shed and is now in someones garden along with the bleeding heart in the background. The placement wasn't intentional but the gardener liked the look and bought a couple of each. That's good because lemon lilies are not quick to reproduce.


Lady Scarlet joins the available reds. It's been blooming for almost two weeks.


Joylene Nicole is a front of the border plant to me but you cannot beat the flower qualities. Sold a couple last night while we were closing up for the day.



That's it for this morning. The ravens are boisterous now and reminding me to get dressed and get out of here. Now 46 degrees and I am wimpy enough with the wind to think I'll change back to dungarees and worry about shorts when it (hopefully) heats up today.

From the mountain above Peacham Pond where blue sky makes me smile!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener


Vermont Flower Farm A web site to visit before you come see us. We are at 2263 US Route 2, Marshfield, VT despite the fact that Google Maps still lists our old address too. If you know how I can get this corrected, let me know and I'll reward you with daylilies. I have been trying to get them to help since last November.

Valued Colors

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Greetings from Wet Marshfield, Vermont

Chorus Line
This is a beautiful flower that some seem to miss in the gardens. Early through mid season bloomer with a high bud count and some more bloom into August.

It's another wet morning here. It rained from late evening until about 4:30 and the air is still and quiet now, save for the dripping tree leaves. Karl the Wonder Dog wanted to go out early. He must have heard the bears go through as his sniffer went into action as soon as we hit the road. He's a funny canine because if he sees a bear, it's one of those tag-wagging, "Hello friend" ordeals but if he only smells their scent, he freezes tight and won't budge because he cannot relate the smell to the animal. By now he should be well versed in bears as he and Gail have seen enough but it hasn't quite connected yet. It still bugs me a little when I want to head down the Peacham Pond Road and he reneges before we really get started. Dog decisions don't always match people decisions.

Chicago Peach Parfait

The daylilies are beautiful this year and we should have a bountiful display today if the sun decides to shine. The colder temperatures as this morning's 51 degrees have delayed bloom times by over a week. The flowers are abundant on more scapes than we have ever seen before but some of the plants have smaller flowers because of the cold.

The rains which started when snow still maintained a patchwork around the nursery have continued so the daylily plants are extra large. I shouldn't, but I laugh on occasion when I see Gail dig one out for a customer and then has trouble figuring out how to get it into a wagon or cart. No customer has said he didn't want such a big plant as most are very good size after just two years in the ground. Were not talking 2-3 fans here but now they are often 5 and up to a dozen.

My plan was always to sell directly from the garden, no longer from pots, and this has worked well. It requires a little more thought and is a bit difficult to keep the production tied to the demand. Some reds such as Spider Man and Ruby Spider (no more for this year) have already been broken down to single fans to regrow for next year. Something as simple as Double Dream has been popular and we have stopped selling it to rebuild stock too. Respighi, Sir Black Stem and Sinbad Sailor have joined the list of "look and wait until next year".

I'm heading to Jericho with Alex in a few minutes as he has a program to attend there this morning. Gail and Austin will work until I return at 1:30 and we are all hoping for a busy day. If the sun shines, I am sure there will be plenty of company.

Here are some more blooms you can see today if you visit. Mail order is available on all these and as I mentioned, the plant size is impressive.

Chicago Arnies Choice
Large flowers on thick, strong scapes. Many concurrent blooms.

Catherine Neal
A little darker purple than this picture

Joylene Nicole

Long a favorite for the front of the garden. Shorter scapes but good quality and easy to match with many companions.

Gordon Biggs
This one blooms all season with lots of blooms and consistent color.

Golden Chimes
Gail and I have come to love this flower. Three feet tall, sturdy, bronze-black scapes, lots of substance. Easy to use in a quick flower arrangement.

Fragrant Treasure
A profusion of blooms so pleasant in the morning when the flowers open and you glance around wondering where the fragrance is coming from.

Good gardening wishes! If you are out and about today, stop by and stroll the gardens. The tall Citrinas, Hesperus, Lady Fingers are out. Spider Miracle may still be in bloom along with Jersey Spider, Amazon Parrot and Bela Lugosi. Thousands to see to complicate your decisions.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm: A website with great pictures to make your choices easier! Call Gail today at 802-426-3505 with questions.

Let It Rain

Missouri Beauty


Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day!

A dark, gray, wet day here on the mountain. The temperature is holding at 59 degrees and there is a little wind started. Karl the Wonder Dog was not the least bit impressed by yet another wet morning and his walk with me was shorter than I wanted.

I don't know if many of you remember Bruce Springsteen's song, Mary's Place, but the refrain is seven times worth of "Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain." We have had quite enough rain and it's placing farmers and nursery folks like us in bad straights because of the potential for fungus, rotted root systems, yellow corn fields of stunted stalks and hay fields that cannot be mowed. With milk prices taking another hit, this is bad for everyone involved in the production and distribution of milk. Same holds true for vegetable, fruit and flower growers. Bring on the sun!

As for the daylilies, the bloom continues although one day of hot weather and sun would color up the fields and make us all smile. I have to pack some lunch and get down to the nursery in a couple minutes but in the meantime here are a few more daylilies in bloom right now. If you are out and about this Independence Day, stop by for a visit. If the rainy gloom or long distance prevents a visit, go to Vermont Flower Farm on the web and try our Virtual Tours. If you see something you like, the on-line order system is easy to use.

Little Skipper

Lady Scarlet

Hush Little Baby

Golden Chimes

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where last night's fireworks are this morning's sleepy campers. No matter where you go today, be thankful for the peace that prevails in America.

Gotta' go!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm

Strange Daylily Habits

Friday, July 3, 2009

A wet morning here in Marshfield. Enough is enough but we have no control over the switch that makes the rain fall. The rivers are very high and the daylily beds are floating today. I need to mow between the rows so customers and visitors can get about but there's no hope of that in their current condition.

Karl the Wonder Dog got me up at 4 and had convinced me to get going by 4:15. We headed down towards the pond when he got just wet enough that repeated shaking was no longer keeping him half dry. He went back to bed and I headed to the nursery. We are trying to get all the plant markers up to date and although not a difficult chore, it takes time.

As I sit here writing I am in between my second and third set of clothes. The rain appears to have run out of steam and there's even a little sun coming through. I sure hope it clears by noon as we could use some customers.

The daylilies are really popping out now and I've lost count. We pick one bud from each plant as it blooms and have a table full now for people to look at. For some, this saves a trip into the fields but for others, getting wet and muddy has become something they are used to. Up above is Chicago Silver which Gail and I enjoy a lot. Here are a few more.

Carolyn Criswell

Barbary Corsair

Little Pumpkin Face

Rocket City

Leebea Orange Crush

Grape Velvet

Chorus Line

Off the top of my head we have Bitsy, Corky, Jay, Green Flutter, Siloam Space Age, Grand Masterpiece, Penny's Worth, Red Volunteer, Ruby Spider, Miss Amelia, Miss Tinkerbell, First Show, Gordon Biggs, Cream Drop, Siloam Paul Watts, Mini Pearl, Lemon Lollypop, Alna's Pride, Joylene Nicole, Atlanta Debutante, Citrina, Hush Little Baby, Jen Melon......boy, more than I thought (or can remember!)...blooming away.

Guess I better get back to work. If you are out and about this weekend, stop by and say hello. The mud is deep but the company is good. The new hosta garden is also worth a look.

Writing from the mountain where Karl is bothered yet again by the line of visiting-for-the-weekend joggers who huff and puff up and down Peacham Pond Road wearing knee braces and Ipods and stopping once in a while for breath or to answer a phone call. Some of this is just not me.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm: Where the cold temperatures of Spring 2009 have left some daylilies mysteriously blooming on short scapes not 6" from the ground.